Insulation for pole climbing spurs



G. o. RUSH INSULATION FOR POLE CLIMBING SPURS Filed April 7. 1930 July 19, 1932.

it I) This invention relates to improvements in Patented July 19, 1932 GLEN O. RUSH, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA INSULATION FOR POLE CLIMBING SPURS Application filed April 7, 1930. Serial No. 442,365.

as set forth in the claims.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE adopted within the scope of the invention pole climbing spurs for linemen, and more particularly to a new insulating means which is arranged to be disposed in such association with the spurs and the legs and feet of the linemen as to reliably protect the latter against death or injury by electric shock.

Although insulated spurs reduce the death and injury hazard to linemen, yet contact of the side or bottom or other portions of the feet with the pole may and has been known to cause an electrical circuit to be completed through the body of the lineman with death dealing results. Consequently it is an object of my invention to overcome this hazard and I therefore provide for insulation of the feet of the linemen from the pole as well as for insulation of the spurs.

Another object of my invention is to provide a spur insulator which may be readily and easily attached to and removed from the spurs.

A further object of my invention is to provide an insulator which may be conveniently made up in one piece of suitable rubber capable of detachable connection with the feet and with the spurs.

Still another object is to provide an insulater of the character described which when attached to the spurs disposes the feet insulating portions in position to be readily fitted to the feet.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a rubber insulator of the character described which is designed so that it may be reliably clamped on the spurs and on the feet through the employment of integral rubber gripping portions of simple form and arrangement facilitating a quick attachment and detachment of the insulator.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a spur equipped with my new insulator. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of the lower portion of the spur as illustrated in Figure 1.

The embodiment of my invention shown in the accompanying drawing includes an insulator made up as a single unit or in one piece. Preferably I use pure rubber or such flexible rubber as known to have the desired insulating qualities. However any suitable insulating material may be used and the device may be made up of two or more separate (0 parts as desired, in carrying out my invention. The main requirement is that the insulator protect the legs and feet from making electrical contact with the pole as well as with the spurs regardless of the manner of securing the insulation material or the construction or kind thereof. Although I have found that an insulator constructed and arranged as shown in the accompanying drawing, and as will now be described, serves so effectively for the purposes of my invention,

I do not wish to be limited to the exact form shown in the drawing. Therefore, I consider any insulating means which, when associated with the legs, feet and spurs of a lineman, will prevent electrical contact being established between the legs, feet and pole or between the legs, feet and spurs, to be within the scope and purview of my invention.

The present embodiment of my invention comprises a strip of flexible rubber insulation 1 arranged to be placed upon the inner side of a linemans spur 2 to insulate the leg and foot of the lineman from making electrical contact with the spur. The edges of the strip 1 may be provided with angular gripping flanges 3 or portions arranged to embrace and grip the edges and outer faces of the spur whereby to hold the insulation strip in place. The resiliency of the rubber pro- 1 vides for a close and tight fit and securing of the strip in place. Preferably the ends of the strip extend beyond the ends of the spur to prevent the said ends of the spur from making electrical contact with the legs and feet of the lineman. It will be noted that the strip 1 may be readily removed and put on. This is important as breaks, worn spots or the like in the strip will prevent safe insulation and a careful check, test, or inspection requires removal of the strip. An insulation strip such as the one here described will greatly reduce the electric shock hazard to linemen, but does not prevent an electrical circuit being established through the body of the lineman should the latters foot engage the pole. Instances of direct connection being made through the feet and pole in this manner .are not uncommon. To eliminate this danger I provide a means for insulating the feet of the linemen, particularly those portions, such as the inner sides and bottoms of the feet, which often contact with the poles when using the spurs. As here shown a shoelike insulation shield 6 is provided and is worn on the foot somewhat like an overshoe or rubber, yet it need not cover the entire foot. An insulation shield suflicient to cover and protect the inner sides and parts of the top and bottom of the shoes, is sufficient. Therefore I may make the shield 6 as approximately half a shoe, although it should be sufficient to cause a resilient gripping and secure holding thereof on the foot. As here shown this shield extends around and past the center of the toe and heel to produce a hook-holding effect whereby to insure a secure holding of the shield on the foot. The shield 6 is preferably made of flexible rubber but may be of any suitable insulation mategral with the strip.

It will now be apparent that I have provided a reliable means of insulating the legs and feet of linemen from climbing spurs and from the poles whereby the linemen will be safe-guarded against death or injury.

I claim:

1. In a linemans pole climbing spur havng an'insulated foot supporting and engagmg member, a shield of insulation material arranged to extend laterally from said member to insulate a portion of the linemans foot engaged by said member.

2. A flexible insulation shield arranged to be removably attached to and to insulate a linemans pole climbing spur, and an extension of said shield arranged to cover and insulate a portion of the linemans foot not embraced by the spur, said extension having a flange along one sidev thereof arranged to be disposed between the linemans foot and the pole, and a covering on one end of said extension arranged to receive the toe portion of the linemans shoe.

3. In an insulator for a linemans pole climbing spur, an insulated foot supporting member, and an insulating member fixed to and extending laterally from said first member and arranged to extend under and around the inner side of the linemans foot when the spur is operatively engaged therewith.

4. In a linemans pole climbing spur, an insulated foot supporting member, and a foot insulating shoe combined with said member.

5. In a linemans pole climbing spur, an insulated foot supporting member, and a foot insulating shoe combined with said member and having a portion arranged to extend over the side and top of the linemans foot.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Oakland, California, this 25 day of March, 1930.

GLEN O. RUSH. 

